Chapter 17

Chapter 17 - C-rank Promotion Exam

After embracing Lily for the first time a week ago, I took a break from my adventurer business and held Lily every day. Originally, I had planned to resume my adventurer activities a bit earlier, but moving to an inn with a bath was a very bad idea. I mean, I would be able hold Lily in a clean state anytime—morning, noon, evening, or night. When Lily, all warm and snuggled up, was close, it would dispel the fatigue I felt right after holding her.

Both Lily and I probably took around ten baths this week alone. Including showers, it was likely more than thirty times.

Plus, our distance was always very close. The current inn is larger than before, yet Lily sticks right by my side. It's almost as if she's intentionally doing so.

Actually, I should commend myself for showing restraint and ending it after a week.

...It was a lie.

The truth is, my endurance had been increasing day by day. Finally, yesterday, I had to stop because Lily seemed exhausted. I was surprised when she clearly declined.

During the third round, she seemed to be enjoying it, but by the end, her voice grew weak, and when I tried to start the fourth round, she declined apologetically. She, who said she would do anything for my sake. 

I wasn't aware, but apparently, when I was doing her, I was quite intense. Lily had mentioned having seen her mother's night activities before, but she said they hadn't been this intense.

This was partly due to my body strengthening skill and partly due to my nature. My stamina never ran out just from physical activity like sex.

If I wanted, I could hold Lily in a standing position for hours on end or move my hips rapidly like a vibrator. Of course, I didn't intend to be that intense, but it seems I unconsciously got carried away seeking pleasure.

Intensity aside, I didn't want to reduce the frequency. Until now, we had only kissed, petted, and engaged in intercourse. I wanted Lily to learn some erotic techniques and be able to please me with her mouth or hands. As for her boobs... squeezing my thing seemed difficult. Let's just look forward to the future.

Lily said that the daily sex had left her tired, so she decided to rest her body for a few days. Even though I wanted to cuddle without sex, I didn't have the confidence to resist, so I resumed my adventurer business to distance myself from Lily.

Well, I can't stay cooped up in the inn forever. I have over 20 million gold in my pocket, but I'll need more in the future.

I need to rise higher and earn more money.

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"Haruki-san, you've been granted the eligibility to take the C-rank promotion exam. If you wish to take the exam, please apply at that counter over there. Depending on the availability of the examiners, you should be able to take the exam within a few days."

After finishing my exploration and heading to the adventurer's guild to collect the rewards for purchases and subjugations, a staff member stopped me. The content of the conversation caught me off guard.

Although I'm confident that my combat abilities are on a C-rank level, that alone isn't enough for promotion. C-rank requires a proven track record of completed quests.

Quests for C-rank and above don't allow room for failure. These often involve tasks like guarding and rescue, which can have serious negative consequences for lives and property if not completed successfully.

Accurately understanding my own abilities and the difficulty of the quests, as well as consistently achieving success, are more important than anything.

Because of this, it's difficult for adventurers like me, who haven't taken many quests, to be promoted to C-rank. While the earnings might decrease, I had been considering taking D-rank quests to improve the guild's assessment of me.

Yet suddenly, I was granted eligibility. I headed to the training grounds, planning to meet the person who had the only clue. Since it was still evening, he might be there.

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"Hey, newbie, it's been a while."

"It's been a while, Bagas-san. I know this might be too sudden, but did you recommend me to the guild?"

If you're granted eligibility without a quest record, it's usually due to a recommendation from a veteran adventurer.

Recommendations aren't given lightly. If the recommended adventurer fails the qualification exam, their guild rating drops. It's something reserved only for reliable adventurers with proven capabilities.

So, with the information I had, I asked him half in doubt.

"Yeah, I did. A guild staff member I know was complaining about the shortage of C-rank adventurers recently. If you're grateful, do me a favor in return."

"A favor?"

"Yeah, I'll probably ask for it in two or three months. I want you to team up with my junior adventurers temporarily and take on quests. Sorry, but I can't go into the details yet."

"I understand. It depends on the details of the quests, but I'll try to handle it as best as I can."

A recommendation is a significant help. Since I started living with Lily, I wanted to move to a safer place as soon as possible. Money wasn't an issue, but places with good security had stringent evaluations. However, if I could reach C-rank and be recognized as a professional adventurer, I could probably pass the evaluation.

So, this favor is likely much more substantial than Bagas thinks. I intended to accept quests unless they were extremely dangerous.

I immediately returned to the adventurer's guild and applied for the promotion exam. Luckily, the examiner had an open schedule, and the exam was scheduled for the next day.

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"Welcome back, Haruki."

"I'm back, Lily. Is your body feeling better now?"

When I returned home, Lily greeted me. Her flapping approach didn't show any sign of tiredness from yesterday. Seeing Lily's smile made the day's exhaustion disappear. Since I'm covered in dirt from the expedition, I can't hug her right away, which is a shame.

"Yeah...? Did something happen?"

"Ah, yes. Tomorrow, there's something I need to put in a lot of effort for."

"...Are you nervous?"

"...I guess."

After a brief conversation with Lily, I headed to take a shower. It was partly to cleanse myself but also to clear my mind.

Though it wouldn't be as critical as during the incident with Gwen or the debt repayment, failure is still not an option. While not as dire, my future life is largely dependent on the outcome of this exam.

A safe and comfortable home. A more prosperous life. There are many benefits to advancing to C-rank.

I absolutely don't want to fail. I need to focus and prepare for tomorrow. I changed into my room clothes and faced Lily.

"Do you wanna do something lewd?" 

"I want to... but I won't. Instead, can you hug me tight?"

"Like this?"

I sat on the bed, and Lily hugged me tightly. She must have showered recently since there was a faint scent of soap. It was also warm.

This is it. I want to protect this happiness and make it even better.

"Yeah, like that. Also, I don't care if it's half-assed but can you say something that can cheer me up?"

"You can do it, Haruki. I'm rooting for you."

"More, please. If possible, something that sounds lewd."

"Okay. ...Do your best♡ Do your best♡ Haruki♡, Do your best♡ Do your best♡ Haruki♡"

Lily embraced me tightly against her chest and cheered me on in my ear. The overwhelming happiness enveloped me, making me want to hold Lily right away.

But today, I dare not to. I'll use this experience to sharpen my hunger and my senses. By not being satiated, I can be more conscious of the feeling of happiness.

Tomorrow, I will definitely pass.

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"Today, I will be your examiner, Aronia. Nice to meet you."

The person I'm supervising today is a promising newcomer who has garnered attention in some circles. Although, I don't have any particular thoughts about today's exam. [T/N: No change of pov reminder from the author, but I guess its the examiner's pov]

Promising newcomers come around every year. Most of them ended up being average, and the rest were below average. Only a very small percentage achieved greatness.

I've supervised several people who were considered promising, but only one person has risen to B-rank afterward. I'm just here to conduct the exam as usual, with no particular expectations at all.

"Today, you'll be exploring Bigina Forest with me. Along the way, I'll assign some quests for you. You can decide whether to accept them on the spot. Failing a quest means immediate disqualification. I won't tell you how many quests I'll assign or how many you need to complete to pass. Take on only the quests you're sure you can accomplish, without pushing yourself."

"Understood. Do you need me to escort you, Aronia-san?"

"No, I don't. Treat me as if I don't exist until I issue a quest. Any more questions?"

"Yes. About the exploration route..."

From the nature of his questions, I can infer that this examinee possesses a cautious personality. Such a quality is more desirable for an adventurer than just mere skills. It's reassuring to know that they are at least not incompetent.

I always pray for the success of the examinees. There has only been one precedent in the past 20 years where a fool took the examiner down with them. That's why, for my own sake, I pray for the success of the examinees, hoping that they are not incompetent.

"Do you have any other questions? ...If none, then, let's start the exploration."

"Collect 3 Popol Grass."

"I can't accept that quest."

"Subjugate the group of goblins 30 meters ahead."

"I'll accept that quest."

"Investigate the number of monsters within a 50-meter radius."

"I'll accept that quest."

In just a few hours, I could tell his capabilities. Indeed, he lives up to his reputation. His scouting and combat abilities are already above the level of a C-rank. If nothing goes wrong, he's certainly going to pass.

"Assume I'm an injured person and escort me out of the field."

"I can't accept that quest."

"Find and subjugate one Great Fang Bear."

"I'll accept…"

However, what surprised me more than his abilities was his attitude toward exploration. With this level of skill, he can easily handle the quests I am giving out.

Young adventurers tend to become lax during easier quests. And, the combination of slight complacency and misfortune often results in them losing their lives without much ado.

"Assuming I'm a skilled adventurer capable of taking down an Iron Serpent one-on-one, subjugate two Iron Serpent 30 meters ahead."

"Is it okay if I take down both of them with a surprise attack? If not, then I can't accept."

"Then, I will change the quest. Subjugate two Iron Serpent within five minutes."

"I'll accept…"

He showed no signs of complacency despite his capabilities. He's vigilant and focused, which is an ideal attitude for an adventurer.

Saying it is easy, but maintaining concentration for extended periods is challenging. Waves of slackness are inevitable. Suppressing them and maintaining optimal performance requires a strong willpower.

"Defeat two Orcs. However, surprise attacks are prohibited. Begin your attack after the Orcs have noticed you."

"I'll accept…"

"Defeat seven Great Fang Bears."

"I'll acc…"

Individuals with strong determination tend to have significant aspirations. From my position as a guild member, I've encountered people who can be called heroes and I can sense that same kind of presence from him as well.

I wonder, for what reason did he become an adventurer? Is carrying a heavy responsibility over something?

His gaze, fixed straight ahead, seems to be peering into the distant future. He must be looking at something significant. I wouldn't be surprised if he's aiming to become a king. I can't help but be curious about his future.

"That concludes the exam for today. Good job. The results will be available at the guild reception tomorrow evening."

He's destined to rise higher than anyone I've met. I'm convinced of that.